System and apparatus for applying babbitt materials and the like

Abstract

A powder spray applicator system may include an applicator device configured to eject particles of powder in a stream of a heated gas. The applicator device defining a particle path along which particles of the powder stream move upon introduction into a flow chamber and a gas path along which a primary gas stream moves upon introduction into the flow chamber. The applicator device may include a body assembly defining an outer annular gap forming a first section of the gas path and an inner annular gap forming a second section of the gas path, and a spray nozzle defining a flow passage extending between an entry opening of the spray nozzle and an exit opening of the spray nozzle. The flow passage may have an initial section with a converging shape and a final section with a straight shape.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A powder spray applicator system for applying a powder to a surface utilizing a gas stream, the applicator system comprising
 an applicator device configured to eject particles of powder in a stream of a heated gas, the applicator device having a flow chamber, the applicator device defining a particle path along which particles of the powder stream move upon introduction into the flow chamber, the applicator device defining a gas path along which a primary gas stream moves upon introduction into the flow chamber, the applicator device comprising:
 a body assembly defining an outer annular gap forming a first section of the gas path and an inner annular gap forming a second section of the gas path; and 
 a spray nozzle defining a flow passage extending between an entry opening of the spray nozzle and an exit opening of the spray nozzle, the flow passage having an initial section and a final section, 
 wherein the initial section of the flow passage has a converging shape and the final section of the flow passage has a straight shape; and 
 wherein the body assembly and the spray nozzle are configured to define a convergence point of the particle path and the gas path located proximate to the entry opening of the spray nozzle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the final section of the flow passage is configured to produce a gas stream of subsonic character. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the flow passage of the spray nozzle has a passage surface, the passage surface of the initial section of the flow passage has a substantially conical shape; and
 wherein the passage surface of the final section of the flow passage has a substantially cylindrical shape. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the applicator device has an input end and an output end with a central longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the mixing device between the input and output ends, the applicator device having a first input opening at the input end and an output opening at the output end, the first input opening at the input end being configured to connect to a first conduit to receive particles from a powder source, the output opening being configured to output the primary gas stream and particles of the powder. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the applicator device has a second input opening located on the body assembly between the first input opening and the output opening, the second input opening being configured to connect to a second conduit to receive the primary gas stream. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the particle path of the applicator device is in fluid communication with the first input opening and a portion of the particle path is defined by the flow chamber extending from the input opening toward the output opening, the particle path having a primary flow direction extending from the input end toward the output end. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the gas path of the applicator device is in communication with the second input opening and a portion of the gas path is defined in the flow chamber, the gas path extending from the second input opening to the output opening, the gas path having a convoluted character. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the gas path has a first section and a second section, a direction of movement of the gas along the gas path reversing between the first section in the second section of the gas path. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein, the direction of movement of gas along the first section of the gas path is in a secondary movement direction, the secondary movement direction being substantially opposite of the primary flow direction. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the first section of the gas path extends from the second input opening extending from the secondary input opening to a reversal location, the second section of the gas path extending from the reversal location toward the output opening of the applicator device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the gas path is in communication with the particle path at a convergence point of the flow chamber to combine the primary gas stream and particles of the powder in the powder stream, the convergence point being located at the entry opening of the spray nozzle. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the convergence point of the flow chamber is located in the initial section of the flow passage of the spray nozzle having the converging shape. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the flow chamber includes an initial gas movement space of the flow chamber defining the first section of the gas path and a subsequent gas movement space of the flow chamber defining the second section of the gas path, the initial gas movement space and the subsequent gas movement space being annular in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the subsequent gas movement space is positioned radially inwardly from the initial gas movement space. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the body assembly of the applicator device includes a housing structure defining a housing interior and having a case portion and a cap portion removably mounted on the case portion, the cap portion being configured to secure the spray nozzle on the body assembly when the cap portion is mounted on the case portion. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the body assembly further includes an outer body structure positioned in the housing interior of the housing structure, an outer annular gap of the body assembly being formed between the outer body structure and the housing structure, an inner annular gap of the body assembly being formed in the outer body structure, a plurality of holes being formed in the outer body structure to permit fluid communication between the outer annular gap and the inner annular. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the body assembly further includes an inner body structure defining a channel forming a portion of the particle path, the inner body structure being positioned in the outer body structure to further define the inner annular gap.